14 Oct The 8 Best Automotive Museums in the U.S.A.
The car or truck you drive to work has a story behind it. Chanel & Stevo’s infamous Suzuki Jimny, #TheBadger🚐 has a story behind it. Where did they come from, and who designed them? While a lot of countries have long automobile histories, it’s hard to beat the motor memories of the United States, so today we are celebrating that. Here are the eight best automotive museums found in the United States of America.
The 8 Best Automotive Museums in the U.S.A.
Volo Auto Museum
Start your journey by visiting the Volo Auto Museum just outside Chicago. The institution is terrific for the whole family because of the varying exhibits. Kids may enjoy the Disney exhibits featuring parade cars and vehicles from classic movies like “The Love Bug” or “Barbie.” In the five showrooms, you’ll see sizable collections of vintage vehicles and muscle cars.
Another unique feature of the Volo Auto Museum is the military exhibit. In this section, you can see the vehicles that affected the American Civil War, World War II, and other major conflicts. If you enjoy military history, check out the aviation exhibits to see planes used in war, movies and other forums. Overall, the Volo Auto Museum is a can’t-miss attraction in the Midwest.
Lane Motor Museum
Head to Nashville to see the Lane Motor Museum and its collection of 150 cars and motorcycles. This location is famous for its European cars, such as the Adler Type 10 or the Mercedes-Benz 130H. If you’re a motorcycle fan, the Lane Motor Museum could be your favorite section with antique Harley-Davidson, Honda and Bianchi bikes.
While Nashville is famous for being Music City, the town has fun at the Lane Motor Museum’s special events. The institution has exhibitions and must-see events year-round for car lovers. For example, Lane has featured British Boffins as one of its premier 2024 displays. This exhibition features microcars from the United Kingdom that fly under the radar.
America’s Car Museum
The eastern states are often credited with their automotive history, but the West Coast has its fair share of car culture. In Tacoma, Washington, auto enthusiasts can visit America’s Car Museum and have a full day of fun. The museum combines antiques with new vehicles for a comprehensive car-viewing experience. One of the best exhibits is an immersive collection of Japanese automobiles (so try see if you can spot #TheBadger🚐 there).
The Shinka collection displays some of the most iconic cars in Japanese history, for example the 1967 Toyota 2000GT, one of the manufacturer’s most iconic sports cars. Walking through the exhibit, you emulate Tokyo and Mount Fuji tours. The Nissan Skyline, drift cars and motorcycles join the fun in the Shinka collection and bring joy to visitors.
Henry Ford Museum
If not for early 20th-century inventors, American roads and highways would look far different. The first motorized vehicles changed transportation forever and let people enjoy automotive independence. Car enthusiasts can pay homage to these innovations at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan, a museum we simply had to include in this list. This site immerses you in the Ford Motor Company experience.
At the museum, you learn about Ford and his innovative automotive ideas. Step into Greenfield Village to ride the Model T and see what launched one of America’s largest auto manufacturers. You also learn about the Model T assembly line, and how Ford’s ingenuity changed the industry. Besides cars, the museum takes you through American history with agricultural equipment, Civil Rights Movement buses and more.
Hershey Antique Auto Museum
While modern automotive history starts with the Ford Family, some vehicles predate the Model T. You can find them at the Hershey Antique Auto Museum in southeast Pennsylvania near the state capital of Harrisburg. The AACA features horseless carriages, some of the first automobiles people drove in the late 19th century. These authentic vehicles are your time machine to a much different era.
Some museum exhibits are on loan, whereas others are permanent year-round. Among the most popular attractions is the bus collection, featuring large vehicles used in “Forrest Gump” and other movies. If you bring children, take them to the Roads to Rails exhibit to observe and play with model trains. Plus, the Hershey’s Kissmobile Cruiser is a big hit for families.
Petersen Automotive Museum
Los Angeles is an excellent destination for road trippers and those wanting to immerse themselves in car culture. In the City of Angels, you’ll find an automotive staple through the Petersen Automotive Museum just outside Beverly Hills. The institution has a vast car collection to satisfy any motor enthusiast. Take the private vault tour for an in-depth look at the museum’s prized possessions.
The Petersen Automotive Museum’s vast collection bridges the past, present and future. For nostalgia, you can see the 1989 Batmobile, or the 1958 Plymouth Fury. The Modern Concepts exhibition boasts a 2005 Ford Shelby GR-1 and other recent vehicles you may recognize. Lastly, the museum features the future of automobiles through Google’s self-driving car, Waymo.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is one of America’s premier motorsports destinations. Since 1911, the racetrack has been the site of the Indianapolis 500 on Memorial Day weekend. If you can’t attend the races, visit the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum. The facility is temporarily closed for renovations but has an $89 million campaign underway to restore itself (so add it to your own Wanderlist).
When you visit the track and museum, you surround yourself with racing history. Some of motorsport’s biggest names — such as A.J. Foyt and Jeff Gordon — have raced on the speedway and kissed the bricks. The museum says it will keep fan favorites inside the new building, so take pictures of the Borg-Warner trophy and all the cars. In the meantime, you can tour the track and see the backstage sights.
Motorsports Hall of Fame
If you enjoy all forms of racing, check out the Motorsports Hall of Fame on Florida’s Atlantic Coast. This institution is within the Daytona International Speedway’s ticket building, so you can combine this trip with a racetrack tour. While race weekends are great times to come, the museum is open year-round except for major holidays.
The Motorsports Hall of Fame introduces you to a century of racing history. Its curators have dedicated permanent exhibits to the inductees and ensured their memorabilia is available for all to see. Take a few minutes to see Blue Bird, the first vehicle to reach 300 miles per hour (mph) on Utah’s salt flats. Some new exhibits include Roger Penske’s Corvette, Dan Panoz’s racecars and military photographs.
Viewing Vehicles From American History
America’s car culture is unique, from everyday passenger vehicles to lightning-fast race cars. With museums nationwide, you can indulge in your automotive cravings. These institutions exist between the coasts and let you explore vast collections. Plus, it’s easy for the entire family to enjoy.
Author bio: Jack Shaw is a freelance lifestyle writer and dedicated traveler. His writing focuses on exploring the food, culture and beautiful views of wherever life decides to throw him. Stories of his travel can be seen in Modded, Trekaroo, The Travel Magazine and more. Jack has a love of all things outdoors, and spends much of his free time taking on local hiking trails and state parks.
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